The Cross-Country Making of 'Forrest Gump'

In this episode of The Bulwark Goes to Hollywood, host Sonny Bunch interviews Steve Starkey, the producer of Forrest Gump and author of the new book *On the Set of Forrest Gump*. Starkey shares behind-the-scenes stories from the film’s cross-country production, revealing how a risky, high-budget project was made possible through creative financing, audacious planning, and the unwavering commitment of Tom Hanks and director Robert Zemeckis. He recounts the tension with Paramount Pictures, the strategic over-budgeting to maintain creative control, and the innovative use of second and third units—including Tom Hanks’s brother in makeup and a custom magic wheelchair for Gary Sinise—to achieve iconic scenes. Starkey also discusses the ethical and technical challenges of blending real historical figures with fiction, the role of audience testing, and the evolution of filmmaking in the age of AI. The conversation underscores the delicate balance between art and commerce, and how Forrest Gump remains a timeless, emotionally resonant film that continues to move audiences decades later.